Councillor Role

In 2008 Fiona ran for re-election on her own ticket- Team H. She was successful in being re-elected and only 100 votes short of her second candidate Gerald Power being elected also. If she had of been successful with the second candidate Orange Council would have had its first Aboriginal Councillor.

Items of particular interest to Fiona at this time would be the water issue in Orange. She has been active in working towards a way for future water sustainability. Evidence of the work done to date can be viewed on the Council web site- Water Project

Fiona also enjoys the role she plays in the numerous areas relating to the major portfolio in which she holds- Community Services. Given her background as a Registered Nurse, previous Councillor, Justice of the Peace, involvement in local community projects and various fundraising activities Fiona believes she is well suited to this role. In particular she is approachable, empathic, professional, understanding and seeks out the various needs of her community. Projects Fiona has been involved in through Council are:

* Water strategy for the future 2050
* Storm Water Harvesting scheme
* Planning and development of the New PCYC centre in Orange
* Spring Street Bridge
* Children's Memorial Garden
* Expansion of the Skate park
* Advocate for Icely and Ophir road users linking to Northern Distributor
* Youth Conference Orange
* Australian Rural Leadership Course- Vision Task needs assessment for families.
* Crime Prevention CCTV cameras
* Christmas Festival
* Chamber of Commerce representative for Council
* Disability services
* Mount Canobolas as a Tourist area
* Dragon Boats Orange

In 2004 Fiona was first elected as a Councillor with Orange City Council. After a busy time with election and campaigning against 77 other possible candidates. Fiona became the third female Councillor at Orange. Fiona is an extremely active Council member and some of the projects that she has driven or been involved in are:

  • Designing and building two BMX Tracks in Orange after establishing a partnership with organisations to provide funding in support (competitive and recreational)
  • Lobbying and building a recreational play area for children at Glenroi
  • Working with the community and other Councillors to have an Aboriginal Flag flown at the Council Chambers
  • Working with a committee and Youth to establish "Not just another CafĂ©" (NJAC)
  • Set up a Pilot Project with Police, Public School and Council to provide bikes and helmets so that bike riding could become part of the sport curriculum at no cost to students.
  • Lobbied for changes in phone directory, reduced speed on distributor road, better meeting times, shared space, and much more.
  • Been an active member in the Community Plan 2020 for Orange
  • Amongst many other things... Visit this site monthly to stay updated on what Fiona has been involved in with Council.

Fiona's objectives on council

Council Objectives (PDF File)

Orange Councillor and Candidate 2008 Election
Please find in this document the completed profile with full policy information and many other extras added in.

You Tube- Orange Electorate Fiona Rossiter Team H

Visit this new website Australian Family Matters


Saturday, October 28, 2006

October 2006 - LGA Conference 28th October to 1st November

This was a three day conference held in the Blue Mountains. The annual conference is the supreme policy making body for Local Government in New South Wales. The theme was "Community: a sense of place".
There was a mixture of activities and the first starting with a hypothetical question which was "Local Government: is it the Biggest Loser?" The aim of the discussion was to talk about the key threats to effective and popular local government; to identify the priorities for action and to prevent the demise of local government autonomy; and lastly to enjoy a lively, provocative and entertaining discussion with questions and comments coming from the audience. One of the main focuses within the discussion was Professor Percy Allen's report.
The remainder of the conference involved many addresses from prominent government officials, elections of positions on the Local Government Association of NSW and consideration of Motions.
In all there were 187 initial motions and 37 late motions. Of these Orange City Council had one which was no 21. The motion that was resolved unanimously reads
"That the local Government Association lobby the NSW Minister for Health, the Hon John Hatzistergos MLC with regard to the Isolated Patients Travel and Accomodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS). NSW IPTAAS assists with access to specialised medical treatment and oral surgical health care for people living in isolated and remote communities in NSW, through the provision of some financial assistance towards actual travel and accomodation costs.
That IPTAAS be ammended to:
1. Reduce the eligibility criteria for travel from 100kms to 80kms.
2. Allow patients a choice of specialist.
3. Increase the kilometre rate from the existing 15 cents per kilometre.
4. Remove the patient contribution of $40 per application.
5. Simplify the IPTAAS form for everyone to use.
*It should be noted that during the debate for this motion point number 5 was added.
At this conference there were plenty of opportunities to view and discuss the Trade Exhibition holders their organisations and benefits to local Government. This conference was beneficial in that it gave people the opportunity to meet and debate issues concerning the welfare of the communities we represent, and to set policy directions to ensure community interests are met now and into the future. There was also the opportunity to meet with other Councillors and discuss projects that have been both successful and unsuccessful for them. Lastly there has been the successful adoption of Orange City Council's motion by the association which is then being forwarded to the Health Minister for his response.

Posted by Fiona at 12:36 PM

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